passed through the mountains, was expected to be a bitter battle, and it was hoped that Astargoth would find the resolve to defend its northern border.

The fifth army was led by Baldric, and they numbered eight thousands on horse. They would march through Morag to meet Morlock's issuing forces head-on, and retreat, drawing the enemy across the treacherous White River, east of the Black Wood, then retreat west along the Narrow Plain where forces from the eaves of the Black Wood and Alin could strike at their flanks.

The sixth army was led by Niles of Astargoth. They numbered two thousands on horse. They would ride north to the White River, follow it east beyond Morlock's demesne, and in folly or in madness would attempt to take his undefended castle from the rear.

Including Belloc's army, they were forty thousands in total: twelve thousand dwarves, fourteen thousand elves, and fourteen thousand men. Some six thousand remained in Lund, and more arrived every day, either to be trained or to join the ranks.

There were also forces of elves at the Bridge Fortresses on the rivers Grey and White, and patrolling the Black Wood, the river valleys, and scouting the surrounding lands. Triel of Brand had his force of five thousand at the eaves of the Black Wood.

Lund was left in the care of an aged veteran named Harvick, who had trained generations of horsemen and soldiers, including Baldric. He had come out of retirement, and though he was too old for the rigors of battle, he remained yet the best strategist, and was more than capable of organising Lund's defences. In fact, as Lund's depleted armoury was being restocked, he was building another army to bolster those forces led by Akaru.




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